Pupils spend a day in the life of an engineer
Pupils at Ashwell Academy recently spent a morning in the life of a telecoms engineer as they took part in a hands-on educational module about the internet.
It’s a hands-on, educational activity in which pupils plan and construct their own scale model of KCOM’s Lightstream fibre broadband network on a Google Earth floor map of Hull.
One hour. We talk to the pupils about how internet technology has evolved and then brief them on the challenge before letting them take it on. There is also a debrief session at the end where our senior engineer will evaluate the networks the pupils have built.
To educate pupils on the processes involved in planning and building a communications network and learn how our engineering team work around obstacles such as bridges, rivers, railway lines and gaining planning permission.
KCOM volunteers. Each session has a lead volunteer, usually one of our senior fibre engineers. We provide three more volunteers to support the pupils during the activity.
The activity works with pupils in all years at secondary school. It can also be adapted to work with students who are in their first year of further education at college or sixth form.
The optimum number is 20 as the pupils are split into four teams with each team being allocated a quarter of the floor map to work in. It can work with less than 20 pupils, but not with more.
Yes, if your school is in the KCOM service area (HU1-HU17 and YO43 postcodes).
We always like to use the school hall (or a similarly sized area) if possible as the floor map is very large!
No. We bring everything we need with us.
There is no cost to the school – we will bring Internet Inventor to your school/college free of charge.
Catherine Jones, Vice Principal at Ashwell Academy, said:
“Once again KCOM came into school with their Internet Inventor activity which really engaged our students. KCOM really put students at the heart of what they do and their level of commitment to education in Hull is admirable.
Ashwell Academy students really get a lot out of the activity which is hands-on and brings learning to life. We look forward to more educational activities and projects from KCOM in the future.”
Ben Wallis, Assistant Principal at Wilberforce College, said:
“I’d like to thank KCOM for providing this invaluable opportunity for our students to experience the world of work in such an innovative and interesting way. It included useful preparation for the workplace together with key information about job roles and careers in the telecommunications industry.”
Use the link below to register your interest in taking part in the Internet Inventor activity.